Charitable Involvement

Realtors Who Give Back

Stafford Manion (left) and his brother, kidney transplant
recipient Lang Manion, are joined by Todd Baur (center) during the
2006 National Kidney Foundation’s Golf Classic.

In many ways, real estate agents count on the personal
relationships they foster from neighborhood to neighborhood. That’s
why it’s no surprise that realtors, as a group, are among the most
philanthropic in town. They understand how giving back to the
community they serve makes for good business, and keeps those
communities wonderful places to live.

Edward L. Bakewell president Sarah Bakewell says philanthropy is
very much a part of her company’s culture. “We have always been big
believers in giving back,” she says. “We realize that we’re part of
the fabric of St. Louis. Our business gets so much from the
community, we don’t even think twice about reciprocating.” As
realtors, Bakewell says it’s important to contribute to
strengthening the community. For example, the company has been
involved with the United Way over the years and many of its agents
are members of historical societies throughout town. Bakewell
herself has supported the rebuilding of Forest Park through Forest
Park Forever and as a founding member of the women’s committee.
“From a residential real estate standpoint, without that park, we
won’t have those wonderful houses surrounding it,” she says.

At Janet McAfee Real Estate, giving is year-round, according to
VP Janet Horlacher. “We try to have company-wide charitable
periods, participating in the United Way campaign in the fall and
giving to Arts & Education in the spring,” she says. Last year,
McAfee agents were recognized for contributing the most to the
Realtor Housing Assistance Fund to help combat homelessness. “We
recognize every day that a healthy and vibrant community rich with
cultural institutions supports our property values, making it good
for business,” she notes. “We count on the community for our
livelihood, so we consider it our own personal responsibility to
make it a wonderful place.”

While Gladys Manion doesn’t have a company-wide directive on
philanthropy, president Stafford Manion says he encourages
charitable giving by example. “It’s up to the agents to take it on
individually,” he says. “They give to whatever cause is closest to
their heart.” For Manion, that means the National Kidney
Foundation. “My brother had a transplant 10 years ago, it saved his
life,” he says. Since then, his involvement with the foundation has
included more than writing checks. He served nationally on its
finance committee, and he also regularly participates in annual
events. “I’m walking in this week’s Kidney Walk with a group of
people,” he says, adding that sponsor pledges from Gladys Manion
agents helped make his team the leader in donations. “Walking is
one thing, but for organizations like these, it’s the money that
makes the world go ‘round.”